Townsville Council Corruption Question

March 22, 2018

Activists have been met with a strong police presence as they once again attend Townsville Council chambers, calling for an end to corruption over the council's $18 million rate-payer funded gift to Adani to build an airstrip for the company's mega coal mine in the Galilee Basin.

This is the third time running that the Townsville Council meeting has been disrupted by local people, who are furious over the gift of so much money to a corrupt, climate-wrecking corporation. Wagners are the contracting company for construction, and Adani would own the airport, if built.

In a gesture for World Water Day, activists presented a bunch of water lilies to Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill, who they have dubbed "Mayor for Adani".

In close running for the "Mayor for Adani" title is rival Adani supporter Cr Margaret Strelow, who abandoned her position and left the Labor Party to run as an independent for coal in the last state election.

"Who is the real Mayor for Adani?" asked Townsville local Karen Meade. "Mayor Hill and Mayor Strelow are going to have to duke it out for this title. Either way, they both lose" said Ms Meade.

"It's appalling to see two regional mayors in such a race to the bottom. Hill and Strelow are throwing rate-payers' money after a disastrous, foreign owned, entirely private project. There are no benefits for regional Queensland here, only for a corrupt billionaire" said Ms Meade.

At today's meeting local residents were joined by Frontline Action on Coal in demanding that Townsville Council spend public money for public benefit. The activists called for more spending on reducing greenhouse gases, developing renewable infrastructure and eco-tourism facilities in place of the $18 million gift to Adani.

Whether you're keen to get your boots dirty on the front lines of coal and gas developments, or have some spare time at home to sling memes and pump social media, there are plenty of roles and lots to do!...